: Hunte, who grew up in the same building as Jay-Z (560 State Street), sang the original demo vocals.
In 2009, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys released "Empire State of Mind," a track that quickly transformed from a hit single into the unofficial anthem of New York City.
The song didn't actually start in a New York studio. It was written in London during February 2009 by Angela Hunte and Jane't "Janyce" Sewell-Ulepic. jay_z_empire_state_of_mind_ft_alicia_keys
: Jay-Z reportedly felt Keys' first vocal takes didn't have the right "energy" for the track.
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: Today, the song is still played at sporting events, graduations, and city celebrations, serving as a "unifying" hit for New Yorkers. If you want to explore more about the music , tell me: A specific lyric you'd like decoded ? Other New York anthems to compare? More on Jay-Z's business empire ?
: She had to record the hook multiple times to capture the soaring, anthemic feel he wanted. : Hunte, who grew up in the same
: Her powerful delivery became the song's heartbeat, leading her to later release "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down," a solo, piano-driven version. A Cultural Phenomenon